Vidic sets his sights on Liverpool and Manchester City after recovering from calf injury

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic is set to return for the crucial Premier League games against Liverpool and Manchester City after declaring himself ready for international duty.

Vidic, who has missed nine games since suffering a calf injury against West Brom on the opening day of the season, will fly to Serbia on Thursday.

Renewing acquaintances: Nemanja Vidic and Mario Balotelli could come head-to-head once more at Old Trafford on October 23

Although it is unlikely that he will feature in Friday’s game against Italy in Belgrade, the 29-year-old is desperate to play in Slovenia on Tuesday as Serbia try to salvage their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2012.

Vidic’s return could not have come at a better time for Sir Alex Ferguson who has seen his defence disrupted by further injuries to Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Rafael Da Silva this season.

Hobbling: Vidic goes off injured against West Brom

As United prepare to face their two biggest rivals in the space of eight days, Ferguson admitted that City’s wealth has transformed the Manchester derby.

He said: ‘The impetus City now have – they have a huge squad of players and the financial power to attract some of the best footballers in the world – actually changes the focus of the derby these days.

‘The talking point isn’t so much the actual game but the dynamics of how Manchester City have changed football and what we do to compete with that.

‘They are a good team and they were always going to be there or thereabouts. We just have to make sure we are ready for City when we meet them.’